Ancient Rome

The empty clay uterus

Ancient Jerusalem, Ancient Rome, Antiquity / Birgit Brecknell

Birth control in antiquity Trigger alert: This post discusses abortion which may be distressing for some readers. It also contains some gory details about surgery and the effects of medicines, and might therefore not be for everyone. My maternal grandmother wanted to be an architect. Post WWII, she became a housewife and mother; I never […]

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The cured sausage is almost immortal

Ancient Rome, Antiquity / Birgit Brecknell

Eating in ancient Rome Whenever people talk about reincarnation someone is convinced that they were Cleopatra. They’re thinking: All the signs are there – I like diadems, powerful Romans, and will exit this world with dramatic flair by engaging the bitey services of a massive cobra. (Hear me out, I’ll get to Roman food in

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